Climate Action and Human Wellbeing at a Crossroads

At this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn the world finds itself at a crossroads. On the weekend before the official start of the negotiations more than 150 climate experts and policy drivers gathered to discuss options to accelerate the transformation towards sustainability.

Two years after the world community adopted the #ParisAgreement and the #2030Agenda for Sustainable Development, the tremendous efforts of many stakeholders from around the world have demonstrated that a transformation towards a sustainable future is possible.

First Conference Day 4 Nov, Saturday

In his opening speeach @DIE_GDI 's director Dirk Messner stressed that the global transformation is under serious threat, as nationalism, populism, and post-factual thinking challenge global cooperation. Yet there is good news as well:

With Fiji being the official chair of the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference, special attention will be paid to the role of island states facing climate change. This was also reflected in Ronald Jumeau's (Seychelles Ambassador to the United Nations) kick-off remarks.

Connecting science to other sectors was one of the themes running through the conference. @HeideHackmann was among those calling for new forms of engagement between science, politics, business and the public.

Both the #ParisAgreement and the #2030Agenda could become a global social contract for inclusive human development in an interconnected world economy. Speakers at #CrossroadsBonn made clear statements: Only together can we achieve the transformation!